On-Demand 5

Writing Situation:
Your class is studying American celebrations when a new student from another country joins the class. The new student speaks English but knows very little about American celebrations. To help the new student, the teacher asks the class to create a notebook with articles about celebrations in the United States. You have read the passage that shows how Valentine's Day is different in Japan than it is in the United States. You decide you want to tell the new student how Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are celebrated in the United States.
Writing Directions:
Write an article for the new student's notebook about the two American celebrations that involve women. Describe the role of advertisements in these celebrations. Include information about why the celebrations are held in the United States. Also, mention the activities that some people might enjoy on these days.
***This would be a 90-minute write with an article to read.***

• informative
• opinion
• narrative

Writing Situation:
With big state tests at the end of the school year and increased pressure to succeed, some school districts are trading art and music classes for extra time spent in the core-content classes (reading, writing, math, social studies, and science).
Writing Directions:
Write a letter to your School’s Site Based Decision Making Council explaining the importance of art and music classes in your daily schedule.

• informative
• opinion
• narrative

Writing Situation:
Most people can remember something that happened to them that made them very angry. Think about something that happened to you that made you angry that you will never forget as long as you live.
Writing Directions:
Write a story for the school newspaper telling about an event that made you angry. Be sure to tell why you will never forget this event. The story can be real or imagined.

• informative
• opinion
• narrative

Writing Situation:
Your friend has a ballet recital in a few days and is very nervous about performing in front of a crowd. She is thinking about dropping out of the recital.
Writing Directions:
Write a letter to your friend telling her about a time you have been nervous. Include any strategies you used to help you get over your nervousness.

• informative
• opinion
• narrative

Writing Situation:
Some kids seem to have nothing to do with their spare time except watch television or play video games. Other participate in a variety of activities, such as basketball, dance teams, Boy Scouts, etc. These activities can be good for kids for many different reasons.  
Writing Directions:
Write an article about an activity that you think is especially good for kids to do. Be sure to use evidence to support your opinion on why this is such a good activity for kids.

• informative
• opinion
• narrative

Writing Situation:
Several school systems in Kentucky are studying an alternative school calendar. This calendar would mean that students would not have the typical three-month summer vacation. Instead, the same number of vacation days would be divided more equally throughout the year.  
Writing Directions:
Do you think this alternative calendar would benefit the students of Kentucky? Write a letter to the school board, stating whether you agree or disagree with the alternative school calendar. Be sure to include the reasons why you feel this way.

• informative
• opinion
• narrative